WASHINGTON [MENL] -- Leading U.S. military commanders have transferred their
headquarters to the Persian Gulf region in preparation for an attack on
Iraq.Commanders of the army, navy and air force have already been transferred
to the Persian Gulf. The commander of the U.S. Marines in the Asian region
is expected to arrive in Bahrain in the next few weeks. The command, led by
Lt. Gen. Earl Hailston and a support staff of 500 people, has been moved
from Hawaii.The U.S. Third Army, a support unit and part of the Central Command, has
been operating in Kuwait since Nov. 11. The command has been accompanied by
more than 2,000 soldiers as well as advanced tanks and armored systems. The
troops have been exercising with both the Kuwaiti military as well as units
from other NATO forces, such as Canada and Germany.U.S. officials said the effort is meant to prepare for any continuation
of the U.S.-led war against terrorism. In all, about 20,000 military
personnel are in the Gulf region, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi
Arabia.
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